Blockbuster Carabao Cup clash: Newcastle United vs Chelsea

Newcastle United and Chelsea are set for a massive Carabao Cup/EFL Cup clash against each other in the quarterfinals. This is a blockbuster match between two of the biggest clubs in England which led to people showing interest. Find out the dynamics between the two clubs in this preview for the upcoming clash.

Newcastle and Chelsea’s Carabao Cup campaigns

Newcastle received an automatic bye in the third round of the Carabao Cup. In contrast, Chelsea started their Cup campaign in the second round due to a lacklustre 2022/23 season. Since both clubs got their fair share of Carabao Cup matches already, there are good expectations for this Round of 16 match.

Newcastle’s massive victories over Manchester clubs

The magpies were immediately thrust into big matchups starting in the third round of the Carabao Cup. They had to play against the mighty Manchester City in late September 2023 which they won after an Alexander Isak goal.

In the fourth round, Newcastle played against Manchester United. This was a big game for the Magpies as they were playing against the defending champion. They trounced Man United 3-0 with goals from Lewis Hall, Miguel Almirón, and Joe Willock.

Chelsea’s three-match run to the quarter-final

For Chelsea, their campaign started in late August 2023 when they played against League Two side AFC Wimbledon. It was not an easy match as Chelsea conceded a penalty in the 19th minute and went 0-1 down.

They managed to equalise with a Nono Madueke penalty and an Enzo Fernandez goal to win the match. Chelsea played against Brighton in the third round which was a close match but with a Nicolas Jackson goal, The Blues advanced to the round of 16.

Chelsea followed up with a game against Blackburn Rovers which they dominated with goals from Benoit Badiashile and Raheem Sterling. It was not a close match as Blackburn couldn’t match up against a top-flight side like Chelsea who advanced to the quarterfinals.

Standout players for Newcastle United

Newcastle has been in a rollercoaster season as they emerged as a strong top-half side in the Premier League table. These are three players who stood above the rest:

• Alexander Isak: The most talented forward in the Newcastle squad, Isak has nine goals to his name across all competitions which is a good sign for the Magpies. He struggled with injuries but ahead of this clash with Chelsea, expect Isak to wreak havoc on the Blues’ defence.

• Anthony Gordon: Gordon has been one of the best forwards in England this season. This helped garner shouts for him to be included in the England squad. With his six goals and three assists in the Premier League, expect him to be a significant player for manager Eddie Howe.

Standout players for Chelsea

The Blues are not having the best 2023/24 season as they sit in 12th in the Premier League. This is not a spot that Chelsea has been used to over the past two decades as they’re more focused on developing their young yet expensive players. However, there are a few standouts for Chelsea this season who have performed well and helped them succeed in a few matches. These are:

• Cole Palmer: After coming from Man City on a £42.5 million transfer, Palmer has been impressive with Chelsea. His performances are worthy of the price tag with his creativity on offence.

• Conor Gallagher: The most hard-working midfielder on the Chelsea squad, Gallagher sets the tone for the Blues. His energy and physicality will be crucial in their duel against Newcastle’s midfield.

What to expect in the Chelsea vs Newcastle matchup

Ahead of this fixture between the Magpies and Blues, they match up well against each other because Newcastle is more inclined as evidenced by their matchup in late November 2023 and their history of winning against the Blues. Just a few weeks later on December 19, they will clash again, this time for a spot in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Newcastle’s defence will be crucial in holding back Chelsea’s attack

In terms of their last matchup, Newcastle is riding high on their offence. It was a trouncing of the Blues as Newcastle dominated possession while also overpowering the Chelsea attackers with their defence. It was Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schär who overpowered the frontline of Jackson, Palmer, and Sterling.

With that being the front three and backlink matchup again, it will be another tough game for Chelsea. Expect the Blues to struggle against Newcastle’s physicality, especially with the Magpies’ midfield.

The midfield battle will likely decide the match

Gallagher, Enzo, and Moises Caicedo have to play much better than before. They have to dominate possession of the ball and not fold against the physicality of players like Joelinton and Bruno Guimarães.

By keeping up, Chelsea has a chance to win as long as they can deliver passes to their forwards. Sterling scored in their last match and he might do it again with his experience playing against Kieran Trippier.

Injuries heading into the Carabao Cup clash

Heading into this clash, both Newcastle and Chelsea have been ravaged by injuries. This will have an impact on both clubs moving forward but for this match, take note of injuries that can affect the game:

Newcastle’s injuries

• Nick Pope (shoulder): A standout goalkeeper for the Magpies, Pope’s reliable shot-stopping was crucial in Newcastle’s success. Now, the Magpies will have to rely on backup Martin Dúbravka to guard their net.

• Jacob Murphy (shoulder): The right-winger/midfielder is a superb offensive option for Newcastle as he is an accurate crosser. He is sorely missed as an offensive creator as Miguel Almirón is not on the same level with his passing.

Chelsea’s injuries

While they don’t have as many prolific injuries as the most injured club in England like Newcastle, Chelsea has its fair share of ailments too. Here are the injured players for the Blues:

• Wesley Fofana (knee): As a mobile central defender, Fofana loves to play physically while making some brave tackles. That would’ve been crucial in stopping players like Isak and Gordon.

• Ben Chilwell (thigh): Chelsea’s best left-back, Chilwell’s defence and contributions on offence deserve to be mentioned as he is a crucial part of Mauricio Pochettino’s system. His injury has limited Chelsea’s offensive prowess.

Who is the favourite ahead of the match?

Chelsea is the favourite to win this EFL Cup clash while Newcastle is the underdog but not by a wide gap. In recent weeks, Chelsea has shown they can play well like in their 4-4 draw with Man City and 4-1 victory over Spurs, both in the EPL. Palmer will likely be the standout for the Blues as he has performed well in high-pressure matches.

On the other side, it’s hard to count out Newcastle because of their prowess on both sides of the pitch. But their injury troubles might be an issue, especially with an elite shot-stopper like Pope sidelined. The Magpies will rely on their offence to carry them to the win with Isak leading the line as their primary goal-scorer.

Recent history has shown that these two clubs always have close matches against each other, across their domestic league and other competitions. Chelsea might be the predicted match winner but with Newcastle’s recent impressive success in the Premier League, they might be able to deliver an upset.

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